Entertainment Earth

7/20/2020

Impetigore (Review)

Writer/ Director: Joko Anwar
Cast: Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, Niki Narenda
Year: 2019
Min: 106

It is night time and Maya (Tara Basro) is working at a toll booth. She's on the phone telling her friend, Dini (Marissa Anita), who is working at another toll booth, about some stalker. Soon said stalker appears and tries to kill her. He is soon shot dead by the cops. Later on, thanks to a photo from her aunt and what the creeper told her, she finds out that she has inherited a large house in a small village. She and Dini go to said village to get the inheritance. Soon, they realize that something is very wrong there, and their lives are at risk in increasing danger.

That is about all I will tell you about the plot, since part Impetigore is the mystery of it. The flick is an Indonesian, supernatural horror film from the country's reigning master of the genre, Joko (Satan's Slave) Anwar. He serves as writer and director of this creepy and decidedly fresh take on ghosts and witchcraft. As much as I enjoyed his earlier movie Satan's Slaves, I think this one is even better.

Anwar's directing is top notch. The beginning of the film is creepy as fucking hell and builds tension really well. It is a legitimately scary scene that is exactly how you start off a horror movie! The flick actually has some genuinely spine-chilling moments throughout. Anwar really know how to build fear and suspense, especially in stalk and chase sequences. Even when the movie looks like it is headed into generic territory, it ends up being done in a good and gory way. For example what you will early on dismiss as typical creepy kid ghosts are done so well here, especially in terms of one bloody, good shock scene.

Speaking of gory, the movie has some real holy shit moments. For example, there is one featuring already flayed skin that is hung out to dry that made even this jaded old gorehound's eyes pop out! While, American horror is usually afraid to tackle the killing of children, this movie ain't. Yet, it doesn't feel exploitative or for pure shock value, as it is of utmost importance to the plot. Splatter wise, the film really loves throat slashings, flayings, and machete mayhem.

Credit must be also be given to Anwar's script. The mystery of what is going on is interestingly constructed and very well done. It may unravel slowly, but throughout the movie it keeps your attention glued to what is happening onscreen. There are some really good twists that propel the action and tale being told. The shock ending could've come out as silly, but it's actually decidedly unnerving.

The acting is excellent and the cast really bring their respective characters to life. Especially good are Tara Masro as Maya and Marissa Anita as Dini. Both are super likable and have great chemistry with each other. As such, their friendship is handled really well.

Impetigore is so fucking good! It is a solid shocker with a mysterious plot that really holds you in its tight, icy grip. This is achieved through Anwar's white knuckle directing and tight script. The flick is hair-raising, edge of your seat genre film-making. I especially love the way the storyline unfolds. Shocking bits of graphic violence further adds to the uneasiness. The excellent acting, especially from Basro and Anita, add more merits to the film. Anwar continues to show that he is a force to be reckoned with in Indonesian/ Asian horror. You should check this out for yourself when the movie begins streaming on Shudder this Thursday, July 23, 2020.


3 out of 4

7/13/2020

New Trailers to Upcoming Shudder Exclusives: Random Act of Violence, Lake of Death, & Impetigore!


RANDOM ACTS OF VIOLENCE — PREMIERES AUGUST 20 ON SHUDDER (US & UK) / THEATRES & ON DEMAND IN CANADA VIA ELEVATION PICTURES JULY 31

SynopsisComic book creator Todd Walkley (Jesse Williams), his wife Kathy (Jordana Brewster), assistant Aurora (Niamh Wilson) and best friend, Hard Calibre Comics owner Ezra (Jay Baruchel), embark upon a road trip from Toronto to New York Comic Con and bad things start to happen. People start getting killed. It soon becomes clear that a crazed fan is using Todd’s “SLASHERMAN” comic as inspiration for the killings and as the bodies pile up, and Todd’s friends and family become victims themselves, Todd will be forced to take artistic responsibility. A Shudder Original.

Director: Jay Baruchel
Writers: Jay Baruchel, Jesse Chabot  
Starring: Jesse Willimas, Jordana Brewster, Jay Baruchel, Niamh Wilson
Music: Wade MacNeil and Andrew Gordon Macpherson


LAKE OF DEATH — PREMIERES THIS THURSDAY, JULY 16 (US, CA & UK)

SynopsisA year after her twin brother mysteriously disappeared, Lillian and her friends head to the old family cabin to say their goodbyes. But soon after they arrive, eerie and gruesome events begin to occur. As the lines between reality and Lillian's nightmares blur, she must fight both an external and internal struggle to stay alive. Is a horrific local legend becoming reality, or is the real enemy among them?

Director Nini Bull Robsahm (Amnesia) took inspiration from Norway’s popular 1942 novel (and later film adaptation) of the same name (De dødes tjern), credited with sparking the country’s interest in horror. Robsahm shot Lake of Death on stunning 35mm and brought on Academy Award-winner Bob Murawski (Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell, The Hurt Locker) to edit. Starring Iben Akerlie, Jacob Andersen Schøyen, Jonathan Harboe, Sophia Lie and Elias Mun. A Shudder Original.



IMPETIGORE — PREMIERES THURSDAY, JULY 23 (US, CA & UK)

Synopsis: (Sundance 2020 Official Selection) After surviving a murder attempt in the city, Maya, a down-on-her-luck young woman, learns that she may inherit a house in her ancestral village. With her friend Dini, Maya returns to the village of her birth, unaware that the community there has been trying to locate and kill her to remove the curse that has plagued the village for years. As she begins to discover the complicated reality about her past, Maya finds herself in a fight for her life. Starring Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, directed by Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves). A Shudder Original.

6/25/2020

Shudder: July 2020 Highlights for US

SHUDDER ORIGINAL/EXCLUSIVE MOVIES

METAMORPHOSIS (premieres Thursday, July 2)
In this fresh spin on a demonic possession story, Joong-Su, an exorcist, must face a demon he tragically failed to defeat in the past when it targets his brother’s family next. The demon assumes the form of different family members to sow confusion and distrust, destroying the unit from within. With his loved ones in peril, Joong-Su must face the demon again, at the risk of his own life.  Starring Bae Sung-Woo, Sung Dong-Il and Jang Young-Nam. Directed by Hong-Seon Kim. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK) Trailer: https://youtu.be/zdF-FC8VJI0 


THE BEACH HOUSE (premieres Thursday, July 9)
Escaping to a family's beach house to reconnect, Emily and Randall find their off-season trip interrupted by Mitch and Jane, an older couple acquainted with Randall’s estranged father. Unexpected bonds form as the couples let loose and enjoy the isolation, but it all takes an ominous turn as increasingly strange environmental phenomena begin to warp their peaceful evening. As the effects of an infection become evident, Emily struggles to make sense of the contagion before it’s too late. Starring Liana Liberato, Noah Le Gros, Jake Weber and Maryanne Nagel, directed by Jeffrey A. Brown. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK) 


LAKE OF DEATH (premieres Thursday, July 16)
A year after her twin brother died a mysterious death, Lillian and her friends head to the old family cabin to say their goodbyes. But soon after they arrive, eerie and gruesome events begin to occur. As the lines between reality and Lillian's nightmares blur, she must fight both an external and internal struggle to stay alive. Is a horrific local legend becoming reality, or is the real enemy among them?

Director Nini Bull Robsahm (Amnesia) took inspiration from Norway’s popular 1942 novel (and later film adaptation) of the same name (De dødes tjern), credited with sparking the country’s interest in horror. Robsahm shot Lake of Death on stunning 35mm and brought on Academy Award-winner Bob Murawski (Army of DarknessDrag Me to HellThe Hurt Locker) to edit. Starring Iben Akerlie, Jacob Andersen Schøyen, Jonathan Harboe, Sophia Lie and Elias Mun. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK 

IMPETIGORE (premieres Thursday, July 23)
(Sundance 2020 Official Selection) After surviving a murder attempt in the city, Maya, a down-on-her-luck young woman, learns that she may inherit a house in her ancestral village. With her friend Dini, Maya returns to the village of her birth, unaware that the community there has been trying to locate and kill her to remove the curse that has plagued the village for years. As she begins to discover the complicated reality about her past, Maya finds herself in a fight for her life. Starring Tara Basro, Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, directed by Joko Anwar (Satan’s Slaves, another Shudder Original). A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK
International Trailer: https://youtu.be/UH6vCL0Z0iM 

IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS (premieres Thursday, July 30)
Tracking major theatrical releases, obscure titles and straight-to-video gems, this four-plus-hour documentary explores ‘80s horror films year-by-year. Topics include groundbreaking practical effects; the home-video revolution; poster art and project marketing; creative and budgetary challenges; sound design and musical scores; the 3-D resurgence; heroes and villains; sex, nudity and “the final girl” controversy; and the pop culture context that fueled the genre. Filled with countless clips and entertaining moments, In Search of Darkness is a nostalgia trip through a game-changing decade, as told by both experts and the icons who influenced the modern landscape of genre cinema.


Featuring Tom Atkins, Doug Bradley, Joe Bob Briggs, Darcy the Mail Girl, Lori Cardille, John Carpenter, Nick Castle, Larry Cohen, Jeffrey Combs,  Barbara Crampton, Sean S. Cunningham, Joe Dante, Keith David, Katie Featherston, Mick Garris, Michael Gingold, Stuart Gordon, Andre Gower, Spencer Hickman,  Kane Hodder, Tom Holland, Graham Humphreys, James A. Janisse, Lloyd Kaufman, Eric Kurland , Heather Langenkamp, Don Mancini, Harry Manfredini, Kelli Maroney, Robbi Morgan, Bill Moseley, Greg Nicotero, Phil Nobile Jr., Cassandra Peterson, Mike Redman, James Rolfe, Ken Sagoes, Ben Scrivens, Mark Shostrom,  Corey Taylor, Cecil Trachenburg, Ryan Turek, Caroline Williams, Alex Winter, Heather Wixson, Tom Woodruff Jr., and Brian Yuzna,. Directed by David A. Weiner. A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)
Trailer: https://youtu.be/T_kgOn4ymmQ 

NEW MOVIES FOR JULY

July 1
THE BURNING (Director: Tony Maylam)
When an ill-advised prank misfires, summer camp caretaker Cropsy is committed to hospital with hideous burns. Released after five years, hospital officials warn him not to blame the young campers who caused his disfigurement. But no sooner is Cropsy back on the streets than he’s headed back to camp with a rusty pair of shears in hand, determined to exact his bloody revenge. Starring Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Jason Alexander.  (Also available on Shudder Canada)

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD (Director: Dan O’Bannon)
Two employees of a medical supply company accidentally release a toxic gas that raises up the dead. Soon the area is overrun with flesh-eating residents of the local cemetery who are hungry… for human brains. Starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews, Miguel Nunez, Brian Peck and Linnea Quigley.  (Also available on Shudder Canada)

SLEEPAWAY CAMP (Director: Robert Hiltzik)
SLEEPAWAY CAMP II: UNHAPPY CAMPERS (Director: Michael A. Simpson)
SLEEPAWAY CAMP III: TEENAGE WASTELAND (Director: Michael A. Simpson)
Bad campers meet brutal ends in this cult favorite ‘80s slasher series. In the first film, slightly traumatized and painfully shy Angela Baker is sent away to summer camp with her cousin. Not long after Angela's arrival, things start to go horribly wrong for anyone with ill intentions. Who's the secret killer? And what's behind their murderous motivation? Things start out campy but get nastier and nastier until the shocking (and problematic) ending. In the sequel, the grisly murders that terrorized Camp Arawak six years earlier have become beloved ghost stories around Camp Rolling Hills. But as the campers uncover the truth behind the murders, their carefree days at summer camp come to a violent end. And in the series’ third chapter set at a camp for troubled youths, the psychotic killer that has roamed the woods and been the topic of many ghost stories is still lurking about. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

July 2
METAMORPHOSIS (see above for details)

July 6
JERUZALEM (Directors: The PAZ Brothers)
In this award-winning supernatural horror, two American girls on vacation follow a mysterious and handsome anthropology student on a trip to Jerusalem. The party is cut short when the trio are caught in the middle of a biblical apocalypse. Trapped between the ancient walls of the holy city, the three travelers must survive long enough to find a way out as the fury of hell is unleashed upon them. Starring Yael Grobglas, Yon Tumarkin, Danielle Jadelyn. 

July 9
THE BEACH HOUSE (see above for details)

July 13
MANIAC COP (Director: William Lustig)
MANIAC COP 2 (Director: William Lustig)
MANIAC COP III: BADGE OF SILENCE (Director: William Lustig)
Two New York policemen (Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell) and a policewoman (Laurene Landon) search for a killer in uniform who should be dead. In the sequel, the "Maniac Cop" is back from the dead and stalking the streets of New York once more. And in part three, when footage is doctored to place blame for a hostage’s death on a comatose officer, the “Maniac Cop” takes it upon himself to exact revenge upon those responsible for smearing her name. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

July 16
LAKE OF DEATH (see above for details)

July 20
NINA FOREVER (Directors: Ben & Chris Blaine)
Holly wants to prove she’s not some prude, but when she starts dating the brooding Rob, she’s not expecting a three-way relationship with a rotting corpse. Though the dead-ish Nina’s blood can be washed out of the sheets, the couple have to go to greater lengths to give her soul peace—if that’s even possible. Starring Cian Barry, Abigail Hardingham, Fiona O'Shaughnessy.

THE POOL (Director: Ping Lumpraploeng)
In this simple yet surprising film, a young couple find themselves trapped in a 20’-deep swimming pool with no way out—and that’s only the beginning of their problems. Starring Theeradej Wongpuapan, Ratnamon Ratchiratham. (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK). 


July 23
IMPETIGORE (see above for details)

July 27
PATRICK (Director: Richard Franklin)
A comatose patient uses telekinesis to kill in this terrifying Australian horror classic. Lying quietly in his hospital bed, one might mistake Patrick for a hopeless case. But Patrick’s more than meets the eye, and when he becomes fixated on his nurse, he starts using his powers to stop anyone who tries to come between them. Starring Susan Penhaligon, Robert Helpmann, Rod Mullinar. (Also available on Shudder Canada).

TURKEY SHOOT (Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith)
In a dystopian future, a group of prisoners become targets in a state-sponsored hunting game called a “turkey shoot,” where they’ll be preyed upon by evil gun-toting government officials. If the prisoners survive, they’ll be set free. But the prisoners don’t want to take that chance, and soon the totalitarian rulers find themselves with targets on their backs. One of Ozploitation horror king Brian Trenchard-Smith’s greatest films. Starring Steve Railsback, Olivia Hussey, Michael Craig. (Also available on Shudder Canada).

July 30
IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS (see above for details)

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ABOUT SHUDDER:
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Germany. To experience Shudder commitment-free for 7 days, visit ​www.shudder.com​.

5/09/2020

Shudder Acquires Sundance Visceral Horror Film IMPETIGORE


May 8, 2020 — Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced today that it has acquired all rights in its territories to Impetigore, Joko Anwar’s hit horror film which had its international premiere at Sundance after a smash run in Anwar’s home country of Indonesia, where it was the fifth highest-grossing release of 2019. Impetigore will premiere on Shudder in the US, Canada and the UK on July 23. 

Anwar’s award-winning supernatural movie, Satan’s Slaves, was released as a Shudder Original in 2018. Satan’s Slaves has been a top performing title for Shudder and has also been embraced by critics with an 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

“Joko Anwar is a master of modern horror, and Satan’s Slaves is one of the most loved -- and scariest -- movies on Shudder. We couldn’t wait to work with him again and are thrilled to share his scary, visceral and darkly sinister Impetigore with Shudder members,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager. 


Impetigore is my love letter to horror movies I grew up with, slashers, ghost stories, wrapped in a tragic family drama not unlike my family. I’m excited to be working again with Shudder to bring Impetigore to their members around the world,” said Joko Anwar.

SK Global Co-CEO John Penotti commented: “We’re excited to partner with Shudder on the release of IMPETIGORE. Our partnership with Joko, BASE, CJ Entertainment, and Rapi Films reflects SK Global’s good fortune to work with best-in-class filmmakers and producers around the globe. We now look forward to Shudder streaming the film to a wide audience of thriller fans.”

Impetigore stars Tara Basro (Satan’s Slaves), Marissa Anita, (HBO Asia’s “Folklore: A Mother’s Love) Asmara Abigail (Satan’s Slaves), Ario Bayu (Dead Time), and Christine Hakim (Eat, Pray, Love), and is written and directed by Joko Anwar. The deal was negotiated by Emily Gotto on behalf of Shudder and Pip Ngo of XYZ and Ben Weiss of Paradigm on behalf of the filmmakers. Anwar is represented by CAA, Good Fear and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

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ABOUT SHUDDER
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Germany. New members can enjoy 30-days free with the promo code SHUTIN when signing up at Shudder.com.

ABOUT SK GLOBAL
With operations in Los Angeles, New York, Mumbai, and Singapore, SK Global is a unique, independent entertainment company committed to the finance, development and production of premium global content. Selected as one of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2020 (Film and TV sector), the Company wholly owns the production subsidiaries Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Ivanhoe Pictures. Industry veterans John Penotti and Charlie Corwin serve as co-CEOs.

SK Global’s recent studio film and television successes include the Oscar-nominated Best Picture Hell or High Water (global); the Golden Globe-nominated hit Crazy Rich Asians (global); the breakout Hindi-language Netflix series Delhi Crime (India), which will return for a second season later this year; the award-winning thriller The Wailing (Korea), from director Na Hong-jin; and the 2019 Indonesian #1 box office hit Impetigore from director Joko Anwar. The Company’s current library consists of more than 100 feature film and television projects, several of which are being adapted for local-language film and television remake opportunities around the world.

Upcoming projects for SK Global include the feature drama Palmer starring Justin Timberlake which recently completed principal photography; the culturally specific English-language diaspora comedy India Sweets and Spices, set in an Indian-American community and now in post-production; The Baccarat Machine with Awkwafina set to star; Netflix’s Thai Cave Rescue limited series with Jon M. Chu and Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya attached to co-produce and co-direct; and an adaptation of the bestselling novel Billion Dollar Whale, which offers a definitive account of Malaysia’s shocking 1MDB money-laundering scandal.